This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.
On the trip - Lyndsay, Shane, Woody, Harry, Robert, Allen, and Sue. We shad 9 days of great weather - if youmade the effort to leave Arthur's Pass. The hut seemed very shaky with earthquakes most days. It was not until later in the week that realised my comfortable sleeping spot was probably the most dangerous part of the hut, with bricks right next to me from floor to ceiling.
Unfortunately, most of Allen’s week was spent with the dreaded flu. Woody and Shane took ill, Robert said he didn’t but slowed down very noticeably later inthe week,
Day trips were chosen each day after looking at the weather.
Saturday: Fit trip in perfect weather, driving to Christchurch, visiting the Antarctic Museum, and onto Arthur's Pass, arriving by torch light.
Avalanche Peak - Robert, Lyndsay, Shane, and Sue Most tracks in this area seem to include vertical rock climbing, so I'm grateful of rock climbing practises our club has held.
Sunday:
A kea had fun with Shane’s ice axe; I’ve never seen three guys go to so much trouble and positions to photograph a bird??
There are always things to leam - Lyndsay was shown and practised making angles in the snow. Harry and Woody cycled to Hawdon’s Shelter.
Monday: — Skiing at Porter Heights - Lyndsay, Shane, Harry, and Sue skied in fast icy conditions. We seemed to have to pick up speed from Ruapehu skiing. Robert went for a bike ride to Hawdon’s Shelter.
Lyndsay skied Porter Heights while Robert, Harry, and Sue tramped to Castle Hill Peak in the Torlesse Range and kept an eye on Lyndsay all day. As well as steepness, snow seems to be included in most tramping trips. While on top of Castle Hill Peak
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Robert felt another earthquake, or was it while pressing buttons on Harry's camera?
Shane’s turn for a sick day. All the guys decided on a rest day, so I chose a flatter walk from the Waimakariri to the Poulter River over the Binser Saddle. This was in the bush all the way and four guys were even clearing the track for me. One younger worker asked how far to the saddle so I guessed he felt he’d done a day’s work. We had heard there was a circular bike trip up the Poulter River, the track was clear enough, but you would have to be really.keen on hill work, 50/50 walking and riding.
Harry and Robert cycled to Arthur's Pass.
Poulter River bike ride for Robert, Lyndsay, Harry, and Sue. This was hard going up river and against the wind. The track changed from 4 wheel drive grass track to a shingle slide. The return trip was made in half the time with great views of the river.
Lyndsay and Sue skied at Cheeseman. Allen, Shane, and Woody (all on the sick list) made a great effort and walked to Helicopter Peak. We heard about this great ascent for days later. The stories they made up! I thought young girls could make up great stories but this trip beats all kids - it would fill two books. They man aged to race two elderly women with walking sticks! 1 wonder if Sir Ed. Hillary had managed this peak? etc
Robert's trip was extended to Camp Stream. It was a pity he didn’t have company to make another book.
Harry exceeded us all in Arthur’s Pass
by going up to Mt Cassidy, Blimit, and Temple Basin.
Harry and Sue headed up the Taramakau and Otehake Rivers to a hot pool where we could relax for hours. One large rock in the middle made this very unsociable, but I’m sure I had the warmest spot. Every now and then I saw a hand reaching for sandwiches. As usual, after Harry’s hot pools, a three hour race to get out at a meeting place over time.
Saturday:
Allen, Woody, and Lyndsay had made a strenuous bike ride from Arthur’s Pass to where the OtiraRiver meets the Taramakau, 90% downhill. Robert headed to Punch Bow Falls, and Shane, who had built up his energy for a couple of days went up to Mt Aicken.
Sunday: — Thanks Lyndsay, for the opportunity once again fro a great week.
Sue Higgins